Meeting documents

None.

None.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 February to be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 February were agreed to be an accurate record and signed by the Leader.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transportation; Thanked the winter maintenance team and all local residents who had helped TfB to keep the County moving during the recent freezing weather. Cabinet also globally thanked all services and residents for the support provided during the difficult weather and their commitment to continue to provide seamless services. It was confirmed that thank you letters would be sent out accordingly.  It was noted pothole repairs would begin to be made once the weather conditions have improved.

Cabinet Member for Childrens Services; Two fostering events were being held in March 2017, residents were encouraged to attend to find out more information about Fostering.  More details could be found via the County Council website or by Freephone 08001601900.

Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health;  Noted that the County Council had received recognition by central Government for the work undertaken to improve the Health and Wellbeing of residents within Buckinghamshire.

Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing; Paid tribute to all local residents who helped during the cold weather including groups of residents who owned 4x4 vehicles, who helped to clear roads which enabled vulnerable adults to be reached.

Leader; It was advised an announcement had been made today by Prime Minister Teresa May on the housing agenda to address the housing crisis. It was advised this would have significant implications for Buckinghamshire , and the way in which local plan authorities would meet demand. It was noted that at present there was not enough affordable housing being built.

It was also noted that the Department of Education had appointed the Non-Executive Commissioner for the County Council, following the Ofsted review. It was confirmed this was a normal process and further details would be released in due course.

None.

For Cabinet to consider the Forward Plan

Cabinet noted the report.

Cabinet noted the report.

For Cabinet to consider the Select Committee Work Programme

Cabinet noted the report.

Portfolio updates were provided as follows;

Leader

• It was noted that work continued to improve the fibre connectivity within the County to ensure at least 95% rollout. Rural areas would make up the majority of the final 5% and investigations continued to determine how this could be provided to such areas which were difficult to reach.

Community Engagement & Public Health

• Percentage of residents invited to NHS health checks; it was confirmed that Buckinghamshire continued to place above the national benchmark including above UK England and ahead of the curve. It was noted staff changes and pressures of primary care had impacted on the numbers.
• The Public Healthcare Team continued to encourage residents to take part in health checks, this included being creative and visiting residents in their local area to carry out health checks locally.
• Smoking cessation metric - it was confirmed this metric reflected the national trend. The service continued to target those who were hard to reach, it was also noted that smoking in general had decreased which was largely due to the popularity of e-cigarettes.

Health & Wellbeing

• Timely transitions & percentage of placement clients receiving annual review; it was noted there were significant variations on both areas which were concerning. Performance had at times been low and the service had commissioned a detailed review by the Business Intelligence team to radically improve the performance.
• Adults with learning disabilities who live within their own family - the service were looking at how to develop facilities to enable independent living. New Hughenden living area was a great opportunity to look at transitioning to a more supported living environment. 

Childrens Services 

·         Repeat referrals; it was noted that this continues to be an area of concern even through some progress was made over the previoustwo quarters which was positive. Repeat referrals were indicative of some of the deep seated issues of the system, which the council and partners were working hard to address. 

·         It was confirmed the percentage of care leavers in employment or training had increased to 65% which was positive. This would continue to be monitored through the Corporate Parenting Panel. 

·         The action plan put in place during the Ofsted inspection has been strengthened to incorporate all Ofsted findings and recommendations.

Education & Skills

·         Phonics; variance from target reflected the need to share good practice with every school in the County and to identify those which required more support. A project was underway to improve this and to bring both indicators up. Their remained a gap between disadvantaged and mainstream pupils which would need to be addressed. It was noted in the past the service had hidden behind the good performance in mainstream schools but that now focus was strongly on identifying and getting into those not performing quite so well, although this was not an easy trend to change. It was noted the earliest element of schooling and to a large extent at the preschool stage we should be identifying where there are difficulties and building on these to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

For consideration by Cabinet.

Mr J Chilver, Cabinet Member for Resources and Mr O Milambo, Deputy Head of Strategic Assets presented the report. During discussion key points were highlighted as follows:

·         The proposed site covered22 hectares.

• There would be little maintenance and unlike other country parks the area had limited prospects for generating income.
• The proposal over 6 years was to import spoil directly from the railway line. Plans had been consulted extensively with local parties and contractors would be required to fully engage with the Development Control planning process prior to any formal decision being made. 
• Productive discussions with local residents had taken place to confirm that spoil would come directly into the part rail.
• It was suggested that a substantial endowment would be provided also to ensure that the park was maintained going forward. Also that a community forum be formed to help to reshape the future of the park and meet the needs of local residents and the wider community.
• It was noted that during the consultation by Heathrow ltd, there had been expressions of interest that flood water could be stored at the site, which would leave it unusable for residents. It was therefore suggested that the plans outlined in the report would be a better outcome.
• It was commented that during improvements noise from the M25 could be reduced and the Colne Valley trail and river that ran through the park could both be improved to make the area a more enjoyable place to visit. 

During confidential discussion pros and cons were scrutinised.

Recommendation

That Cabinet:

1. Approve the Restoration Project as outlined in this report.

2. Approve the preferred Contractor.

3. Authorise the Cabinet Member for Resources to sign off agreed terms for the Option to Lease and the Lease should Planning Permission be granted.

4. Allow the Council to enter into agreements to facilitate completion of the Lease.

RESOLVED

Cabinet APPROVED the above recommendation and asked that the three caveats below be included;

-       Provision of an endowment

-       Rail delivery only 

-       A Community forum  be established to reflect the views  of local residents

For consideration by Cabinet.

Cabinet discussed the confidential appendix.

26 March 2018.